DEA Archived Press Releases

Press Releases before January 20, 2025
31 Results - Showing 1 to 10
PRESS RELEASE

Five Indicted for Drug Trafficking in “The Jungle” and Seattle’s International District

SEATTLE – Five Seattle-area men are in custody following a grand jury indictment for their drug trafficking activity in Seattle’s homeless encampments and International District, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. The men are charged federally and have made their initial appearances over the last few days. “We are all...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficker Who Assisted Stepson with Trafficking Ring Tied to Aryan Prison Gangs Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison

Tacoma – A 66-year-old Tacoma man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 75 months in prison for his leadership role in a drug distribution ring tied to the white supremacist Aryan Family prison gang, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Ronnie Griffin is the stepfather of...
PRESS RELEASE

Thurston County Man Caught Twice with Drugs and Firearms Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison

Seattle – A 53-year-old resident of Rochester, Washington was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 7 years in prison for two federal felonies related to his armed drug trafficking activity. Waylan Graves was arrested twice in a four-month period in 2023, each time with distribution amounts of dangerous...
PRESS RELEASE

Two Drug Traffickers Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms in Case Arising from Investigation of Aryan Family Prison Gang

TACOMA, Wash. – Two men indicted in March 2023 as part of a drug distribution organization associated with an Aryan prison gang were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Tacoma for drug and gun crimes. Ronaldo McComb, 59, of Ridgefield, Washington, was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Isaac Cervantes...
PRESS RELEASE

Pierce County Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Crimes

SEATTLE– A 46-year-old Pierce County man was sentenced last week in U.S. District Court in Seattle to seven years in prison for his repeated drug trafficking and firearms possession. Ryan James Townsend was indicted in November 2023, after two encounters with law enforcement. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge...
PRESS RELEASE

Final Defendant Arrested in 41-Person Drug Trafficking Scheme Enters Guilty Plea

SEATTLE, Wash. – The final defendant of 41 arrested in an extensive drug trafficking investigation, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute and unlawfully possessing a firearm. Kendle Rashen Hawkins, 34, of Goodyear, Arizona, will be sentenced by U.S. District...
PRESS RELEASE

Member of International Drug Trafficking Organization Operating in Lane County Sentenced to Federal Prison

EUGENE, Ore.—A Springfield, Oregon member of an international drug trafficking organization operating in Lane County, Oregon, was sentenced to federal prison. Rodolfo Arroyo-Segoviano, 38, was sentenced to 145 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. According to court documents, between April and August 2020, Arroyo-Segoviano managed the local...
PRESS RELEASE

Bellingham, Washington, Man Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Dealing Fentanyl While Carrying Firearms

SEATTLE– A 42-year-old Bellingham, Washington, man was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to eight years in prison for drug distribution and illegal firearms possession announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Adam Wisniewski is the fifth and final defendant to be sentenced in a case involving fentanyl distribution...
PRESS RELEASE

Member of Skagit and Whatcom Drug Distribution Ring Sentenced to Prison

SEATTLE, Wash. – A 38-year-old resident of Maple Falls, Washington was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to six years in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl and methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jesse Witteveen was arrested November 1, 2022, when he fled at high...
PRESS RELEASE

Drug Trafficker Who Created Fortified Compound at Bellingham Homeless Encampment Pleads Guilty

SEATTLE, Wash. – A 32-year-old citizen of Mexico pleaded guilty today to drug trafficking and firearms charges related to his distribution of narcotics at a Bellingham homeless encampment, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Rigoberto Vasquez-Martinez has been in federal custody since he was arrested on August 29, 2023, following...